Slack adjuster



Feb. 9, 1932. J. K. BLAKESLEE SLIACK ADJUSTER- Filed Sept. 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUL Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JEROME K. BLAKESLEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN STEEL FOUND- RIES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY SLACK ADJUSTER Application filed September 26, 1928. Serial No; 308,371.

This invention relates to a slack adjuster, and more particularly to a slack adjuster arrangementwhich is adapted for use in connection with railway car brakes. 7

One object of the invention is to provide a slack adjuster arrangement in which the parts may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled without distorting any of the parts.

Another object is to provide a simple, durable and reliable slack adjuster arrangement which will facilitate repairing slack adjusters in the event that such becomes necessary.

Another object is to provide a slack adjuster arrangement in which the parts are arranged to cooperate in a manner to meet all of the requirements for the intended use.

These and various other objects are accomplished by means of the arrangement disclosed on the accompanying sheets of draw ings, in which Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view, the brake lever being shown in section, of a slack adjuster embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the same arrangement, the frame being shown in section;

.Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken in the plane .of line H of Figure 2;

Figure :5 is a fragmentarytop plan view, the brake lever being shown in section, of a modified form of the slack adjuster;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation, the frame being shown in section, of the arrangement shown in Figure 5; a

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken in the 7 plane of line 77 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken in the plane of line 8-8 of Figure 6.

The various novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In certain types of brake slack adjusters, it is necessary to heat and distortthe sides of the frame member to insert the integral fulcrum block. This is objectionable. To avoid this undesirable operation, I have provided fulcrum'means in the form of a plurality of interlocking parts which are assembled and disassembled in whole'orin part within the frame and which are adjustable as a unit in said frame; e

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be noted that a slack adjuster is mounted at one end of a brake rod 10 having an open rectangular frame 11 with sides 12. The fulcrum means includes two oppositely arranged channel shaped members 13 which arms 18 are provided with aligned vertically arranged recesses 19 which also receive the fulcrum pin 15.

To lock the lever 16, yoke 17 and channel shaped slide members l3 together, and more particularly to lock the lever fulcrum pin within the recesses 1 and 19, one end of the yoke 17 is provided with laterallyextending projections 20 which engage assooiated ends of the channel shaped slide members 13 and rest upon stop shoulders formed on said channel shaped members13. As a matter of fact, itis by virtue of the yoke member 17 having the locking lateral projections 20 and the recesses 19 which fit over the fulcrum pin 15', that the various parts are interlocked.

In assembling the various parts of the slack adjuster, the channel shaped slide members are first placed within the frame 11 and in sliding engagement with the sides 12 thereof. Then the brake lever 16 with its pin 15 is placed within the frame 11 and the lever moved into position between the channel shaped members 13 until the fulcrum pin 15 is seated within the longitudinally extending recesses 14: in said channel shaped slide members 13. Then the yoke member 17 is moved vertically downwardly in the frame 11 berecesses therein for the reception of a lever tween the slide members 13 and the lever 16 until the fulcrum pin has been received by the vertically arranged recesses 19 and the projections of the yoke engage the associated ends of said slide members 13, whereupon all of the parts within the frame: are releasably interlocked so that they may move as a unit within the frame for adjusting the slackin the brake system. The slidable unit. may then be oved toward one endfof the frame and connected to the adjusting 21 as by a pin 22 which passes through the headed end of the yoke l7 and through one end of the screw 21 which fits within a socket 23 in the end of said yoke 17 Mounted on the outer end of the screw 21 is a hat 2% by means of which the adjusting screw 21, and accordingly the lever f-ul'c-rum means, may be adjusted longitudinally within the frame for varying slack conditions in the brake system. r

In Figures 5 to'8 inclusive, a modification is shown in which all of the parts are the same as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that instead of providing the arms 18 of, the yoke '17 with slots '19, as shown in Figure 2 ,'said arms 18 are provided with circular bearing openings for the receptionof the fulcrum pin 15.

In assembling the parts shown in Figures 5 to'B inclusive, the channel shaped members '13" are first placed in position within the frame 11 and then the yoke 17 with the lever T6 and fulcrum pin 15 assembled, are placed within the frame 11 the pin 15 moved forwardly into the longitudinally extending recesses 14: until the fulcrum pin 15 can move no further, whereupon the headed end of the yoke 17 is 'rotatedyertical'ly downwardly over the associated ends of thechannel slide members 13 until the laterallyex tendin'g projections 20 pass into engagement with the "stops 25 on the ends of saidchannel members. All of the parts are then interlocked as a unit. 7

By means of the arrangement hereindisclosed, the Various objects of the invention are accomplished. I

It is'my intention to cover-all the modifications of the invention falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina brake slack adjuster, the combinatipn of a frame, brake lever fulcrum means adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum means'comprising channel members slidably engaging the sides of said fram'eand having fulcrum pin, and ayoke havinga'rec'eiving portlon for the lever fulcrum pm and interldcked with said channel members whereby all of said parts asa unit may be adjusted in said frame.

"2. In a brake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, brake "lever'fulcrum means adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum means comprising channel members slidably engaging the sides of said frame and having recesses therein for the reception of a lever fulcrum pin, and a yoke having a receiving portion for the lever fulcrum pin and releasably connected to said channel members whereby all of said parts as a unit may be adjusted in said frame.

' -3. In 'ab'rake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, brake lever fulcrum means tion of a frame, brake lever fulcrum means mounted therein, said fulcrum means comprising channel members which are first mounted within the frame for slidable connection therewith and having openings for the reception of'a lever fulcrum pin, and *a yoke having openings for the reception of the lever fulcrum pin and being movable into interlocking position with said channel members whereby all of said parts may bev adjusted as a unit within said frame.

5. In "a brake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, brake lever fulcrum means 'adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum means comprising channel members slidably engaging the sides of-said frame and having longitudinally extending recesses therein for the reception of the lever fulcrum pin, anda yoke having vertically arranged recesses for receiving the lever fulcrum pin and being arranged to interlock with said channel memberswhereby all of "said parts as a unit may be adjusted in said frame.

6. Ina brake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, bra'ke lever fulcrum means -adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum 7 meansconiprisingmembersslidably'engaging the sides of said frame'and having portions for th'e receptionofabrake lever fulcrum pin, and a yoke -having a receiving portion for the lever fulcrum pin and having projections for engagement with said members for releasably 'interlocking all of said parts whereby said fulcrum means as a unit-may be adjusted in said frame. I

7. In a brake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, brake lever fulcrum means adjustably mounted therein and comprising two members i slidably mounted on the sides of said frame, andathirdmember, allthr'ee of said members having portions for recelving a brake lever fulcrum pin and also hav- 'ing interlockingportions whereby all 'ofsaid parts as a unit may be adjustable in said frame.

8. In a brake slack adjuster, the combination of a frame, and brake lever fulcrum means adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum means comprising three interlocked members, each of which has a portion for engaging the lever fulcrum pin.

9. In a brake slack adjuster, the combina- 19 tion of a frame, a brake lever fulcrum having a pin, and brake lever fulcrum means adjustably mounted therein, said fulcrum means comprising a plurality of self-contained members releasably interlocked, one of said members having a portion embracing said frame and another of said members having a portion embracing said pin on each side of said fulcrum.

10. In a brake slack adjuster, the combina- 20 tion of a brake lever fulcrum having a pin,

brake lever fulcrum means comprising a plurality of self-contained members releasably interlocked, said members having portions embracing said pin. Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 21st day of September, 1928.

JEROME K. BLAKESLEE. 

